In the desert,
fruit was scarce. God called one of his prophets and said:
- Each person may only eat one fruit
a day.
The custom was obeyed for many generations,
and the ecology of the place was preserved. Since the remaining fruit
supplied seeds, other trees appeared. Soon, the entire region was
turned into fertile soil, which was the envy of other towns.
But the people continued to eat one
fruit a day - they remained faithful to what the ancient prophet of
their forefathers had told them. However they never allowed the inhabitants
of other villages to take advantage of the abundant harvest with which
they were rewarded each year.
The result was that fruit rotted on
the ground.
God called a new prophet and said:
- Let them eat as much fruit as they
like. And ask them to share the abundance with their neighbors.
The prophet came to the town with the
new message. But he was stoned - for by now the custom was ingrained
in the hearts and minds of each of the inhabitants.
With time, the younger villagers began
to question the barbaric old custom. But, since the tradition of the
elders was unbending, they decided to abandon the religion. Thus,
they could eat as much fruit as they wished, and give the rest to
those in need of food.
The only people who remained faithful
to the local church, were those who considered themselves saints.
But in truth they were unable to see how the world changes, and recognize
how one must change with it. |
